The PAL program takes 10 young farmers and ranchers who have already begun their personal development journey and focuses on moving them to the next level. The curriculum is designed to be of a high-level, executive type that provides participants with unique opportunities to represent agriculture when opportunities arise in the media, on speaking circuits or in testimonial arenas.

“Dr. Buck brings a wealth of talents with her in all that she does on behalf of Ohio agriculture and Ohio Farm Bureau,” said Melinda Witten, Ohio Farm Bureau Young Ag Professionals coordinator. “We are excited for her opportunity to continue developing her leadership skills and know she will represent Ohio Farm Bureau well.”

Buck is an associate professor of agricultural communications at Ohio State University. She and her husband John farm approximately 1,000 acres of corn, wheat and soybeans in Marion County where she serves on the county Farm Bureau board and as communication action team leader. Buck also raises a flock of Southdown sheep. She was the 2013 Ohio Excellence in Agriculture award winner and 2014 finalist in the national competition, where she finished in the top three, making her eligible to apply for AFBF’s PAL program.

Ohio Farm Bureau Federation is a member of American Farm Bureau Federation®, a national organization of farmers and ranchers including Farm Bureau® organizations in 49 other states and Puerto Rico, and is responsible for Farm Bureau membership and programs within the State of Ohio. Ohio Farm Bureau Federation programs and services are available only to Farm Bureau members within Ohio. The political views expressed in these pages represent Ohio Farm Bureau Federation's positions on various issues as they relate to Ohio. The positions of the national Farm Bureau organization collectively are expressed through American Farm Bureau Federation. Any opinions, statements or views expressed through comments or by outside contributors are the express views of those individuals and do not necessarily represent the views of the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.